Apparatus for carbonating liquids



April 16, 1940. w. s. LARSON APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING LIQUIDS Filed May 24, 1937 MZLMM J. 19350 W 7, My fifTORJ/il Patented Apr. 16,1940

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR CARBONATING LIQUIDS William S. Larson, Inglewood, Calif.

Application May 24,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of treating liquids with a gas, and particularly pertains to an apparatus for carbonating liquids.

In connection with the use of various liquids, 5 especially viscous liquids, it has been found that theintroduction ofgas into the liquid will produce a desirable product and that when a harmless gas, such for example as carbon dioxide, is introduced into milk, cream, tomato juice, orange juice, and the like, a desirable aerated product having the consistency of an emulsion is formed. Such products are suitably dispensed in restaurants and soda fountains. It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a method and means of forming a homogenous product comprising a viscous liquid and a gas whereby the liquid will be converted from its liquid state to an emulsified condition, the method contemplating that the liquid may be drawn from a container as required and will be formed into a creamy mixture of gas and liquid which will retain its emulsified condition and in which the gas will act as a preservative.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a liquid container into which gas may be introduced under pressure to intimately commingle, with a viscous liquid placed in the tank and from which said liquid and gas are withdrawn under the control of a discharge valve, the structure also contemplating the liberation of the gas and liquid from a high to a low pressure Zone at some point in the line of transit from the container to the control valve whereby a homogenous emulsified mass will be created which product will remain stable in its new form for a desirable period of time.

A further object of the invention contemplates the provision of means for producing a product of fine and even texture.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a view invertical section and elevation disclosing thepresent invention and particularly indicating the means for intimately commingling gas and liquid within the tank.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation showing the jet nozzle structure indicated in Fig. 1 as being submerged in the liquid within the tank.

Referring more particularly to the drawing. It indicates a closed tank provided at its top with a removable head fitting II formed with a flange l2. by which it is secured in place by bolts 13. The head ll provides a complete closure for the 5s tank and insures that fluid under considerable 1937, Serial No. 144,416 (01. 261 -121) pressure may be retained within the tank. The head i l is formed on its inner face with threaded bosses M and I5 and on its outer face with complementary threaded bosses l6 and I1, respectively. Extending through the head H and the bosses M and i6 is a gas passageway l8. Extending through the head I I and the bosses l5 and H. is a fluid passageway It. Suitably connected to the boss 1 6 is a pipe line 23 leading to a source of gas under pressure. In the present instance this gas is carbon dioxide. The inflow of gas is controlled by a valve 2! in the pipe line. A gauge 22 may be placed on the line to ascertain the pressure being created Within the tank if this is desired. It is to be understood that while the tank Ill may be in continuous communication with the source of gas supply it has been found that this is not necessary, but that if a desired pressure is built up within the tank H! and the Valve 2! then closed the gas within the tank will actto evacuate the liquid from the tank without replenishment. The boss' [4 receives the threaded end 24 of a check valve 25. This valve is of the usual ball type having a ball 26 held against a suitable seat within the valve housing by a spring 26 to hold the pressure of the fluids within the tank l0. Extending downwardly from the check valve 25 and in communication therewith is a gas tube 21'. This tube is formed with side perforations 26 through its wall to introduce gas into the tank. The lower end of the tube is substantially closed save for a perforation 29 which introduces a jet of gas into the mouth 29' of an eduction tube. The perforations 28 and 29 are relatively small in diameter and permit the gas under pressureto pass out in a plurality of jets into the volume of liquid 38 occurring within the tank to become thoroughly disseminated therethrough and to produce a uniform mixture of gas and liquid. For the purposes ofthe present explanation of the invention it will be assumed that the liquid is cream. The eduction tube 35 is attached to the boss 15 of the head ll. Attention is directed to the fact that the gas is introduced at a point of submergence within the accumlated liquid and that the mixture of gas and liquid'is Withdrawn from a point of submergence within the liquid. It is to be noted in the drawing that gas is introduced into the body of liquid 35 through the openings 23 and that a jet of gas is also introduced into the discharge flow stream of liquid and into the inclined mouth 29' of the eduction tube 3! and. in a plane substantially at right angles to the flow of liquid. It has been found that a definite relationship exists between the area of the openings 28 and that of the jetopening 29 since a balanced pressure may thus be created within the tank, and also, a direct jetting action may be produced at the inlet opening of the eduction tube 3|. This relationship must be changed for different kinds of liquid being treated. The gas passing from the jet 29 tends to penetrate the stream of liquid flowing under pressure upwardly through the eduction tube 35 and creates a desired aeration of liquid so that when the liquid is ejected from the draft nozzle 33 it is in the form of the emulsion desired. If on the other hand the jet from opening 29' had been directed up the tube 3| in the direction of flow the gas would have passed through the liquid without producing the desired action. The tube Isl communicates with the passageway l9 and a pipe 32 leading to a draft valve generally indicated at 33. The lower ends of tubes 21 and 3| are held together by a ring 45. This draft valve may be of the general type used at soda fountains to dispense carbonated Water. At a point in the length of the pipe 32 is a cut-off valve 34 which may be used when desired.

In the operation of the valve the structure is assembled for example asshown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the gas under pressure may be introduced into the tank It through the pipe 20 and controlled by the valve 2!. In the formation of various carbonated products in which a viscous liquid and a gas are admixed the gas is preferably carbon dioxide which is readily available in the market. It will be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to. such gases and liquids, and that for example mayonnaise might be made by placing the liquid ingredients in the tank and applying air under pressure thereto. It may also be desirable to make lather for shaving cream and the like by placing liquid soap and other liquids in the tank and introducing air under pressure. In all of such events the operative procedure will be substantially the same,

that is a quantity of liquid as indicated at 3i! is within the tank and stands at a level above the perforations 28 in the tube 21. A gas is then forced into the tank under pressure. This pressure may average from; one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds.

When a desired pressure has been built up in the tank in for a given type of liquid the draft arm 33 may be opened to allow the commingled liquid and gas to be discharged therefrom. This tends to relieve pressure within the tank 19. Gas entering this tank will perform two functions. The jets of gas through perforations 28 will be ejected directly into the body of accumulated liquid 30 in the tank. The jet directed from the perforation 29 will be ejected into the inclined mouth 29 of the eduction tube 3|. Thus, simultaneously the body of liquid will be aerated or gasified. and at the same time the gas passing from the jet 29 will flow upwardly within the liquid under pressure in the tank and will insure that the commingled gases, which are discharged from the draft valve 33 will be completely mixed and will be in the condition desired, as here eX- plained. It will also be noted that when the draft valve is closed the flow of commi-ngled fluids from the tank will be instantly interrupted.

If desired in a container of ordinary capacity the valve 2| may be closed after the aforesaid pressure has been established, as it has been found that the accumulated gas under this pressure will be sufiicient to evacuate the tank. The valve 34 in the line 32 is opened and the device is ready for operation. The only ccntrol-necessary is that afforded by the draft valve 33. While this valve is closed the gas within the tank ill will be held under its pressure by the checkvalve 25 and the gas may then aerate the entire.

quantity of liquid within the tank;

As previously stated it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to any particular liquid or gas and it will be seen that the structure here disclosed provides a simple, efficient, and convenient means of producing a product within which a liquid and gas are combined in a finely divided state and in a substantially permanent structure.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, and have indicated the preferred steps of the method by which it is to be carried out, it

is to be understood that various might be made in the apparatus and followed in the method, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz' 1. An apparatus of the class described com-.

prising a closed container within whicha quan- '25 tity of liquid is confined, an eduction conduit pro to a point adjacent to the bottom of the container;

a gas induction conduit projecting into the container and extending downwardly through the liquid to the point adjacent to the lower opened end of the eduction conduit, said induction conduit having a discharge opening to projecta jet of gas from the gas induction conduit horizontally into the mouth of the eduction conduit and being in communication with a source of gas under pressure, and an outlet valve in the eduction line to permit the discharge of the commingled gas and liquid from the container under'the pressure of the entrapped gas therein.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising a closed container within which a quantity of liquid is confined, an-eduction conduit projecting downwardly and substantiallyvertically into the container and through the accumulated head of liquid therein to a point adjacent to the bottom of the container, a gas induction conduit projecting substantially vertically into the container and extending downwardly through the liquid toa point adjacent to the lower opened end of the eduction conduit, said induction conduit having a discharge opening to project a jet of gas from the gas induction conduit horizontally and into the stream of liquid flowing into said eduction conduit and being in communication with a source of gas under pressure,

a check valve in the induction line to prevent the I return of gas therethroughjand an outlet valve in the eduction line to permit thedischarge of the commingled gas and liquid from the container under the pressure of the entrapped gas therein, the jet of gas being projected into the lower end of the eduction conduit, said eduction conduit being formed at its lower end to receive a laterally directed fluid jet, said induction conduit having a'discharge opening to project a jet of gas from the gas induction conduit horizontally into the jet receiving opening of the eduction conduit and being in communication with a source of gas under pressure, said induction conduit also being formed with jet openings adjacent thelower end thereof through vflfiich passes into the accumulated body of liquid, and an outlet valve in the eduction line to permit the discharge of the commingied gas and iiquid from the container under the pressure of entrapped gas therein.

WILLIAM S. LARSON. 

